The School Factory has a great list of things to think about when looking for a space. We covered most of it, but it's worthwhile reading.
Must Have Requirements:
Warehouse or building that supports industrial activities (think welding)
Min 2000 sq ft (Crash Space is 1600 sq ft)
Ground Floor
Outdoor Area (even if parking lot)
Near Metro Station
Available Parking
Reception Area (double as curated gallery space)
Babysitting Area for little kids
'Classroom'/Teaching area
Restrooms
Break Room to hold Fridge, Sink, Microwave
Within 10 miles of a hospital
Food Options
Majority of Working Group Members want the space in DTLA (A majority of the first meeting attendees wanted it in downtown.)
Nice to have:
Roll-up door
Note: We discussed that being on a walk street is not important as we don't think we'll cater to "walk-in" traffic. The space is a destination.
We'd like to keep montly lease under $3k.
Space Planning Ideas
Location Name
Area
Address
Building Type
Lease
Sq. Footage
Floor
Closest Metro Station
Parking?
Restroom?
Break Room?
Reception Area?
Outdoor Area?
Nearest Hospital?
Food Options?
Schools?
Add in real estate options from George our realtor
Downtown Los Angeles
[Tara] After reading several DTLA Parent Blogs, demographics, etc. I think that if we were to setup space in DTLA, we would want to try and be in or near to this area to attract parents and kids within DTLA as well as families that are traveling to DTLA. Teens hangout at the library, LA Live, Little Tokyo, etc. but they are more mobile. It's near 2 metro stations and 2 major freeways. To answer the question of whether or not we would be competing with the possible space opening in Boyle Heights, the answer is I don't think so. They are specifically targeting underserved kids where we are targeting a blended demo.
1. Large existing facility
2. Centrally located in LA
3. Easy access to transit
4. Existing community
As per Eva Mitnick they don't have a permanent space that can be used for a makerspace, only temp.
1. Contacted the head of the foundation. He expresses interest, but warns of institutional inertia in working with the library system.
2. Tara is meeting with Eva Mitnick, Dept Mgr at Central Library. They want a partner to implement a maker like space.
Can anyone attend at anytime of the day?
Can toddlers come?
1. Existing community
2. Quick access to people who could run classes there.
1. Space limitations
2. Limitations on the type of equipment which could be used in that space
1. Currently working with the facilities group at the Wildwood school to scope of the logistics of setting up space. There is administrative support, but logistics may prevent it.
Can anyone attend at anytime of the day? - No
Can toddlers come? - No
Also, many parents bring their families to the Central Library in downtown LA on Saturdays for weekly programs in the Children's Literature department (puppet shows) and the Taper Auditorium (paid performers.) The programs are so popular, they routinely have to turn families away because of occupancy/fire code limitations.
The School Factory has a great list of things to think about when looking for a space. We covered most of it, but it's worthwhile reading.
Must Have Requirements:
Nice to have:
Note: We discussed that being on a walk street is not important as we don't think we'll cater to "walk-in" traffic. The space is a destination.
We'd like to keep montly lease under $3k.
Space Planning Ideas
Downtown Los Angeles
[Tara] After reading several DTLA Parent Blogs, demographics, etc. I think that if we were to setup space in DTLA, we would want to try and be in or near to this area to attract parents and kids within DTLA as well as families that are traveling to DTLA. Teens hangout at the library, LA Live, Little Tokyo, etc. but they are more mobile. It's near 2 metro stations and 2 major freeways. To answer the question of whether or not we would be competing with the possible space opening in Boyle Heights, the answer is I don't think so. They are specifically targeting underserved kids where we are targeting a blended demo.
According to LA Times Map, there are 5000 kids under the age of 18 in DTLA.
Midcity/Koreatown
Great demographic info care of LA Times.30,000 kids under the age of 18.
NO
2. Centrally located in LA
3. Easy access to transit
4. Existing community
2. Tara is meeting with Eva Mitnick, Dept Mgr at Central Library. They want a partner to implement a maker like space.
Can toddlers come?
NO
2. Quick access to people who could run classes there.
2. Limitations on the type of equipment which could be used in that space
Can toddlers come? - No
Metro Lines
(we discussed being near metro stations)All the lines on a Google Map.
Red Line
Are there school aged children (Kindergarten - 18) in downtown LA?
Yes, according to the LA Downtown News:
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/the-great-school-hunt/article_f206777e-d5b8-11e0-9881-001cc4c03286.html
Also, many parents bring their families to the Central Library in downtown LA on Saturdays for weekly programs in the Children's Literature department (puppet shows) and the Taper Auditorium (paid performers.) The programs are so popular, they routinely have to turn families away because of occupancy/fire code limitations.
Pasadena
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd8ScZGysvo
PDF Flyer:
There is a ramp from the street level to the basement.